[Closed] what chain lube?

Currently using RnR Extreme, think I might give this USB stuff a whirl next time I run out.

Be good to hear what you lot think of UBS. I was out riding with a mate last year and he had to borrow some of my finish line as it had washed off half way through.

Obviously it depends on your local trail conditions, and if you have applied it correctly.
Progold xtreme looks interesting.

So no one else seems to be using purple extreme. I used to use Rock n roll extreme but tried this and preferred it.

Did use it purple extreme and Rock nRoll extreme but found on really claggy rides that after an hour or so I would start to get chain suck....switched back to Muc off C3 and issue went.....plus Rock n Roll was do expensive because of the way you slosh it on.

Rock n roll gold http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tools-and-maintenance-nc/rock-n-roll-gold-chain-lube/10772075.html

Usually about a fiver a bottle with discount

I used to use Purple Extreme, and R&R before - I switched to Purple Extreme 'cos I liked the name more...

Stihl chainsaw oil, its pretty light stuff and a litre is 8 quid. I think rather than the make of oil the application is what matters. I've transferred some to a little bottle with a thin nozzle and stick a tiny drop on each roller. I reckon lots of people just use too much and end up with a black oily nightmare that attracts dirt.

Stihl saw chain oil.

Stihl chainsaw oil, its pretty light stuff and a litre is 8 quid. I think rather than the make of oil the application is what matters. I've transferred some to a little bottle with a thin nozzle and stick a tiny drop on each roller. I reckon lots of people just use too much and end up with a black oily nightmare that attracts dirt.

Almost exactly that ^^ 🙂

I quite like the Finish Line Ceramic Wax lube - one of those lubes where it makes a very noticeable improvement instantly to the smoothness & noise of the chain, once the solvent evaporates off it dries in then migrates off the chain leaving it fairly clean, quick wipe every couple of rides & another light application & you're good to go. I used to use the Finish Line Green stuff which is pretty good but does attract road/trail grime like the aforementioned crap magnet... been thinking about the UBS for commuting as I only do it when the weather's half decent & the drivetrain seems to stay reasonably clean unless it's left to fester for weeks at a time.

I do like the idea of stuff like the UBS & Progold Extreme that apparently leave the drivetrain clean-ish - probably give the UBS a try next time.

J

On the Sthil chainsaw oil - is it just a cheaper "normal" oil, i.e. - attracts crap over time like Finish Line Wet etc.?
J

Comparatively and in my experience it doesn't run as clean as something like Squirt.

Finish Line XC wet Lube.

I used squirt across the board during the drier months and have alternated that and prolink (which is still a bit wet for summer use I reckon) so far this winter. Not much in it TBH, with proper application they'll keep your pedals turning without horrible noises coming from your chain, in shitty conditions they will both get full of mud and will need cleaning later on. (With prolink you [i]could[/i] apply wipe apply wipe repeat until you have a nice clean chain but you'd have spaffed an inordinate amount of lube to do it)

Currently prolink is winning out on my commuter just coz it's easier to apply, squirt need a coat, several hours to dry then another coat and dry. Putting loads on at once will result in blobs all over your chain and 1 coat may not go the distance on longer rides.

I nearly liked Squirt- I used it for a while and it was great most of the time. But every so often it'd just take offence at some particular mud and everything would explode- I remember it going from perfect shifting to total chainsuck in the space of about 20 seconds one time. Very near miss.

Another Prolink user for road stuff here for pretty much the same reasons as Donk. Well, after the original coating has worn away. It's thin so gets in the gaps but it still gets quite dirty if you leave it long enough, especially with winter road grit.

I also use Squirt in dryer times and Prolink Progold currently. I have the regular one on cx/winter road and the extreme version on mtb. Definitely better in manky west of Scotland stuff that Muc Off C3 ceramic which I used on mtb previously. Have also tried RnR but found that it didn't last long.

Purple Extreme is my current favourite - seems to be a good balance of durability and staying clean particularly out on the wet and gritty Peak District trails.

Since going 1x and NW with a clutch mech I never get chain suck whatever the conditions or chain lube.

UBS has been delivered, genuinely quite excited by new lube 🙂

I've a bottle of squirt in the workshop doing nowt as i detest the stuff.
free if you pay postage

squirt taken..(good riddance)

Chain L, tried loads, this is the best. Lasts as you don't need a lot, doesn't go sticky and black.Will clean off relatively easy for another fresh app when the conditions are crap.
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Well, I use UBS and quite like the fact that it sprays on a bit more than you need, seems to wash all the dust and dirt off that can get onto your chain if you leave the bike standing about for a few days or use it much on the road.
Not a fan of chain wax in general, seems to just eat away at my chain every time I try it.

My UBS was delivered this morning too.....I'll get back to you all be next week to let you know what I think of it in claggy conditions.

I've been using UBS since June.

My first bottle lasted 6 months. I use FS365 on the frame though (lighter oil and can be purchased in 5l bottles!)

carlphillips - Member
I've a bottle of squirt in the workshop doing nowt as i detest the stuff.

Really? Out of interest, why?

And what use? (off road, road, what conditions ?)

I've a bottle of squirt in the workshop doing nowt as i detest the stuff.

I'm still searching for a good winter road bike lube. I want something that will stay put for 100 miles of rain so the chain does not squeak for the last 50 miles. Ideally it will not turn into a horrible black mush either. Finish Line Dry (not bad actually, particularly if you apply 3 or 4 layers and allow to dry between coats.) and Finish Line Wet (not bad either, but very mucky) are as close as I've found, not neither are perfect.

^^^^^ prolink progold meets those criteria for my winter road riding.

Re squirt. Degreased chain cassette etc then dried thoroughly.. Applied squirt. Allowed to dry.
Went riding (MTB) and sticky waxy mess covered everything. Shifting went to pot as it was so sticky. Oh well must be me I think so thoroughly clean etc and tried again only to get the same result... Contacted squirt and although they were good at comms they couldn't really offer an explanation apart from not degreased properly (which it was in white spirit then rinsed then dried).

I use Finish Line Green and manage to not have mucky chains, The oil is needed inside on the pins and rollers, not all over. Apply liberally, then clean all the excess off the outside. I mean all - but there is always a film left that stops surface rust.

I've tried other lubes like RnR and it doesn't come close to Finish Line Green.

I use muc off c3 wet lube and muc off c3 dry lube, obviously not at the same time. I generally give my chain a good wipe down with a cloth soaked in brake cleaner once a week then relube carefully with a drop on the inside of each roller then I run my finger and thumb over the lubed area to flex the rollers , also a good check for possible stiff links or a kinked/damaged chain. All my bikes live in the bedroom though so I guess their chains gets to dry off rather than sitting in a damp shed.

I'm quite happy with it, tried pretty much all the others over the past 25 odd years including a particular sticky/molasses like chain oil back in the mid 90s called black gold, that stuff was a magnet for all sorts of grief.

carlphillips - Member
Re squirt. Degreased chain cassette etc then dried thoroughly.. Applied squirt. Allowed to dry.
Went riding (MTB) and sticky waxy mess covered everything. Shifting went to pot as it was so sticky. Oh well must be me I think so thoroughly clean etc and tried again only to get the same result... Contacted squirt and although they were good at comms they couldn't really offer an explanation apart from not degreased properly (which it was in white spirit then rinsed then dried).

ah maybe as I ride road to get to my local trails it could be a componant that reacts with road grime? mine was black gunktastic

carl - I read some tecky stuff about it not being good on road due to static electricity causing pickup of stuff or something - might have been a pile of bull though 🙂 I certainly know a few others who rate it highly on mtb but hate it for road

ah weird that, anyway I've found my 'holy grail' of lubes so won't be changing for a wee while!

Yeah is odd. Must be road related. Though I get on bits of tarmac between trails sometimes, but it's not in busy high traffic areas, just quiet country lanes mostly. Never have a problem with gunking up and black stuff, quite the opposite which is why I love it. As said, over apply and the stuff just flakes off on the outside which is intentional. The stuff inside the rollers remains which is the important bit.

I just "degrease" using a chain cleaner gadget with water and tiny dash of fairy liquid (yeah yeah, I know has salt and will destroy your chain. Well, it doesn't and it works fine 😉 ). Dry, apply, let it dry and apply some more. Mostly now I just wipe off after a ride, and any mud still on just dry and wipe off, then maybe apply a little more squirt.

P.S. Important thing with any chain lube is to apply it to the inside of the chain.

I really like the Finish Line Green. Put plenty on, wipe off the excess before a ride with a rag or kitchen roll. I rotate chains now and again and clean them with paraffin. Sometimes spray some GT85 on after a wet ride to prevent corrosion when I can't be bothered cleaning the bike but always wipe clean and put Finish Line on before the next ride. Seem to have bottles of it all over the place!

i tried almost all mentioned oils........

Can only say CHAIN L oil

-just the best overall, apply and a quick wipe of before riding.

Well, I've used UBS for a while now and can't argue with carlphillips, the stuff is great!